Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-12-17
CITY AND DISTRICT.
M Meeting as she Eifseensh.ssrees
Prs,Syssrian Church Last Night.

PfsDbytsrian Church Last Night
I'M coaoRxp rrrus RxYnEss rHxIR GRATITUDE 70
VIE QrAKns posr roR HB KyYoRm N BEHAIY OF
THEn RAcx.
The meeting Of colored citizens at the fifteenth
Street Presbyterian church last night TO celebrate
the anniversary OF the eightieth birthday OF the
Poet John G. whittier, was attended by a greater
number Of representative colored people than have
been gathered together on any public occasion for
some time. The church, which was handsomely
decorated for the occasion was nlled from plat
form 70 door. and the crowd overf1owed into the
vestibule. On the platform were two easeis heav-
ily draped with American nsgs supporting por-
traits OF the poet and Frederick Douglass The
exercises were opened by the election OF Mr..
Robert Terrell as chairman, and Mr.. X. w. Tomp-
kins as secretary. After prayer by the Rev. DR..
stewart, committee composed OF Messrs. @. w.
and Dr. Gerster, was appointed TO draft appropri-
ate resolutions for adoption, and when they re-
tired, pupils OF the Highland Normal schools sang
hymn In very impressive manner.
chairman Terrell arose and said that the object
OF the meeting was TO show the gratitude. love,
and respect which the colored race has for John
Greeneaf hitter the greatest OF American poets,
10 whose pen they owe so much for his unceasing
advocacy OF the rights OF all human beings TO en-
JOY freedom, ami VINO never iinched until the
practice OF selling human life had been forever
,nrottled- But few Of the men who advocated
their freedom were yet alive, and the colored race
could not do SUFFICIENT honor 70 the great poet
whose first and last thought was In their behalf
Homer, Virgil, Dante, and Shakespeare righted no
mans wrongs. but wrote OF the glories OF Heaven
and the torrents OF He'll IL remained for Amer
cs se &c the eaass OF the nsg
such advocacy meant personal violence and
Cook read letters OF regret for their inability TO at
tend from Frederick Douglass, Henry Cabot Lodge
and Robert Ferris. OF Philsdelphia, who, with
Society which met In Boston nfty-four years ago
THE RESOLUTIONS.
The committee on resolutions reported series,
which were unanimously adopted, to the effect that
John Greenieaf Whittier, the great American poet,
has contaminated the eightieth year OF his age;
and as he was for half a century the trumpeter OF
the army OF antLsavery men and women that did
battle Tor freedom-a trumpeter whose ups never
were worth a thousand men-and as during his en-
tire publt life he has never compromised his con-
therefore, at is the sense Of this meeting Of cit.
ZenS OF sOlOr, assembled representative num-
Ses and capacity IS a. .hs capital OF the
negro race IN America Is due John Greenleaf
Whittier. heir poet friend, for his unswerv-
their rightsps citizens, their progress as people;
that his cards Of freedom touch the heart OF two
continents; hat the melting cadence OF his songs
made many DEverts 70 the cause OF anti-slavery;
and that bis pighting rebukes Of the temporizing
policies OF tioid statesmen and the nations sin
ns Se sw6rS c lOr
geance and J1tice smote our enemies and severed
our chains, Whereby we are enabled to raise
Inscriptions OF raise 20 Him who gave US Whit
tier with Tyre ind pen; that while he has won all
our hearts, ne las Kept his own, that he might
consecrate e tdthe cause OF freedom, and that we
recognize the mble sentiment and lofty standards
Of duty which ger shine In his poetical works:
that we extendl 70 HIM IN this, the eightieth an
niversary OF his birthday our most cordial greet
ings. and wish Inn many returns OF IL, which has
now assumed anevent OF national Importance
The remainde OF the program consisted OF
highly eulogtstic addresses by Mr.. Williams, Mr..
Jas. NJ TrOtter aid Prof g. W. Cook, a recitation
BY DR. c. Is. Purvs, and vocal selections by Prof.
Layton, Aiss Handy and the chorus OF singers